THE BLOG…

How to thrive in the Food industry

Five Ways to Stop Work From Taking Everything Out of You

The food industry is fast-paced, demanding, and relentless. Whether you’re working a twelve-hour shift in the factory, a developer spinning every plate at once, or a buyer juggling a never-ending inbox, the risk of burning out is very real. Over a decade ago, I...

3 Leadership Strategies to Help You Stay Calm, Confident, and in Control

You're in a meeting. A senior stakeholder challenges your recommendation. Your mind goes blank. Your heart races. You stumble through a response that doesn't land the way you wanted. Later, in the car on the way home, you replay the conversation perfectly; articulate,...

From Frustration to Flow: Solving Your Team’s Communication Breakdowns

Ever found yourself doing someone else's job because it's easier than chasing them? Or watched a small issue snowball into a crisis because no one spoke up soon enough? These aren't personality problems. They're communication skill gaps, and they're costing your team...

9 Signs Your Team Needs Support (And What You Can Expect From Us)

You know that feeling when you walk into a team meeting and something just feels... off? The surface looks fine (everyone's smiling, nodding along) but underneath, there's tension. Confusion. Frustration that never quite gets voiced. High-performing teams aren't just...

When People Stop Believing Their Voice Matters: Why Listening Matters More Than Hierarchy

One thing I notice again and again when I work with food businesses is this: The people closest to the work often feel the least listened to. That might be someone on a production line - but just as often it’s someone in NPD, technical, quality or commercial. The...

The Realities of Senior Leadership in Retail

After 30 years in retail, Gail Paddy says the biggest shift in leadership isn’t the pressure, the workload, or the responsibility. It’s realising that once you reach a certain level, people stop challenging you — and start treating what you say as fact. “The biggest...